CALUMET COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) -Ariens Nordic Center in Calumet County saw its first cross-country ski competition Saturday.
This specific competition was supposed to be in Traverse City Michigan, but due to a lack of snow it was moved last minute.
Hundreds of skiers from all over the Midwest came to compete.
Director of Corporate Communications Tara Perre, says she was not expecting to host the two-day Cross Country Junior and Youth Cup, within the first month of being open.
“I think they approached us two to three weeks ago and just said hey with the snow in Michigan it’s just not looking good for these kids, this is an important race for them to get their times to get qualified, so let’s see what we can do.”
Sylvia Meza from The Lakeland Nordic Ski Team competed early Saturday morning in the U-20 category, and was able to be the first winner on this course.
“I’m kind of surprised, I mean I felt good out there but I did not expect to win today, but it feels really good.”
Meza competed in the 10K interval race.
“It was really fast. It was kind of interesting just starting alone because you’re just alone out there so you don’t really know how you are doing.”
Meza and others were grateful they did not have to travel too far.
“It’s a lot more convenient when it’s a 40 minute drive instead of seven hours, but it’s nice to finally have a home meet. Normally we are traveling quite a distance to get to meets,” says Ashwaubenon Nordic Ski Team skier, Ben Buchmann.
The Ashwaubenon Nordic Team skiers were excited to compete where they have been practicing.
“I think it gives us an advantage compared to the other teams, we know the course very well,” says Buchmann.
Perre says a lot went into these past few weeks of preparation.
“Everything from volunteer recruitment, making sure we have a timing company that comes in and helps us with that, race officials, course marshals…We really couldn’t say no to this opportunity to make sure the kids could ski.”
Skiers and spectators say they hope they can return to Ariens Nordic Center for another competition in the near future.
The Ariens Nordic Center was designed to be a world class facility that can be a training center for potential Olympians.
However, it is open for public use, daily passes range from $10-$15.
